VACCINES FOR COLD SORES

COLD SORES

COLD SORES VACCINE

Right now there is no vaccine for the cold sores virus - herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 - available to the public. Many research labratories, however, are working on this approach to eliminating cold sores.

Scientists at the "National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research" and the "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases" have developed a trial cold sores vaccine for cold sores.

In cold sores tests on lab mice, the vaccine has prevented the cold sores virus from infecting the animals and establishing itself in the nerves, where the cold sores virus like to hide.

Findings are encouraging on this research on cold sores. But scientists must complete more animal studies on the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine for cold sores before they are allowed to test it on humans for cold sores.

But, cold sores victims shouldn't get their hopes up too much. This cold sores vaccine would only be a preventative not a cure for cold sores (or genital herpes caused by the same virus). It would be useful only for those not already infected with the cold sores virus - which would be hard to find.

Remember, it is estimated, by the World Health Organization, that about 90% of the world population is already infected with the cold sores virus. For all practical purposes, this means "everybody" is infected with the cold sores virus, whether or not they actually get cold sores.

Also, the use of the cold sores vaccine, should it become a reality, would require a blood test first, to determine if any herpes anti-bodies already exist in the body. If the cold sores virus, or its anti-bodies, are present, this cold sores vaccine would be of no value.

In my humble opinion, this particular vaccine will only be good for preventing cold sores if used as part of the child immunization program. Most children by 9 or 10 are already exposed to cold sores.

COLD SORES